'Silent Bandit' in Mount Pocono bank robbery to be sentenced

Friends and family of the man nicknamed the "Silent Bandit" called him a caring, fatherly man who overcame cancer but acted out of character when he robbed six banks last April in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including one in Mount Pocono.

Friends and family of the man nicknamed the "Silent Bandit" called him a caring, fatherly man who overcame cancer but acted out of character when he robbed six banks last April in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including one in Mount Pocono.

Fawzi Atra of Bethlehem Township, Northampton County, who earned the nickname for his silent robberies, will be sentenced this morning in federal court in Scranton. Attorneys for both sides have recommended a 70-month sentence, but U.S. District Judge James M. Munley can impose a different sentence if he chooses.

According to court records, Atra told police he robbed the banks "because the economy is horrible and he lost his job." He was arrested by Pocono Mountain Regional Police after the Mount Pocono heist.

One letter writer, however, suggests Atra had a gambling problem.

In a letter added Tuesday to Atra's online court docket, Washington, N.J., resident Joy Apostolou wrote, "Fawzi would never hurt anybody. I think his gambling problem took over his thinking."

She said she worked with him for eight years. Another co-worker from the bakery department at the Greenwich Township, N.J., ShopRite said Atra left the job because of a hostile work environment.

"Fawzi was the kind of person you would be glad to have in your life," wrote co-worker Catherine Shadis.

Atra's 20-year-old nephew, Sabreen Khalil of Easton, said Atra was more of a father to him than his biological father. Khalil said his uncle survived cancer, two house fires and the death of his younger brother. Khalil said he was among the multiple nieces and nephews cared for emotionally and financially by the childless Atra.

In begging for leniency, he wrote the judge, "I find it so hard to think my son won't get to grow up with his great uncle but I am going to pray for a miracle."

Co-worker Mario Rivas wrote: "If by any chance Fawzi happens to see this letter, I just want to tell him that I loved working with him (even though he threw dough balls at me). I am always going to remember him as a good person."

Atra has no prior criminal record and lives with his wife, according to court papers filed by defense attorney T. Axel Jones.

Atra, 43, pleaded guilty Oct. 31 to six counts of robbery.

According to court records, Atra admitted to stealing the following amounts of cash from the following banks:

$437 April 3 at KNBT in Giant in Bethlehem.

$1,780 April 4 at PNC in ShopRite in Marlton, N.J.

$2,967 April 11 at PNC in ShopRite in Warminster.

$1,262 April 14 at PNC in ShopRite in Hopewell Township, N.J.

$1,888 April 17 at QNB Bank in Giant in Richland Township.

$4,200 April 19 at ESSA Bank in Weis in Mount Pocono

Atra has been in prison since his arrest in mid-April.

The plea deal calls for no fine because it says Atra would be unable to pay, but he is required to make restitution.